•9C A-J3L*- Of MAKING GUN-FLINTS. 



Figure of the They arc -{lightly convex within, and confequently leave * 



•fpace fomewhat concave, terminating longitudinally in two 

 lines, fomewhat projecting, and nearly firait. The proum 

 nent edges produced by the fracture of the firft fcales, mull 

 afterwards conftitute nearly the middle of the fubfequent 

 pieces ; and thofe pieces only, in which they are found, can 

 •be uied to form gun-flints. 



Li this manner the operator continues to cleave, or fcale the 

 fione in different directions, until the natural defects of the 

 mafs render it impoffible to make the fractures required, or 

 until the piece is reduced too much to receive the fmall blows 

 which feparate the pieces. 

 3. To fafhion the flint. 

 Fafhion or form The gun-flint, Fig. 7. may be difiinguifhed into five parts, 

 the flint. namely, 1 . the edge, or bevel part, which ftrikes the ham- 



mer or ftcel. This is two or three twelfths of an inch in 

 width. If it were broader it would be too liable to break, 

 and if more obtufe it would not afford a brifk fire. 2dly. The 

 fide edges, which are always fomewhat irregular. 3dly. The 

 back edge, moil remote from the hammer where the ftonc 

 pofTenes its intire thicknefs. 4thly. The under furface, which 

 is fmooth and nightly convex. And 5thly. The upper face, 

 which is llightly concave, and receives the action of the upper 

 claw of the cock, in which it is fixed for fervice. 

 Operation. In order to fafhion the iione, thofe fcales or chips are fe- 



lected, which have at leafl one longitudinal prominent angle. 

 One of the two edges is fixed on to' form the finking edge ; 

 after which the two fides of the fione which are to form the 

 fide edges, and that which is to form the hinder edge are 

 fucceflively placed with the convex furface upon the edge of 

 the chifTel, which is fupported with the fore-finger of the left 

 hand, at the fame time that a fmall blow or two is given above 

 the point of fupport with the Roulette, Fig. 3. by which the 

 flone breaks exactly along the edge of the chiflel, as if it had 

 been cut. In this manner the fides and pofierior edge of the 

 it one are made. 

 Complete the 4. The fione being thus reduced to its proper figure, the 



' gc finishing operation confifts in completing its edge in a firait 



line. For this purpofe the fione is turned, and the under flat 

 part of the edge is placed on the chifTel, in which "fituation it 

 ' is completed by five or fix fmall ftrokes with the Roulette. 



The 



